Gulbadan (c. 1522–1603)

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Gulbadan (c. 1522–1603)

Indian historian. Name variations: Gulbadan Banu Begum; Gulbadan Begum; Gulbadam. Born Gulbadan Begam bint Babur Badshah in 1522 or 1523 in Kabul, Afghanistan; died 1603; dau. of Babar (Babur, 1483–1530), the 1st Mughal emperor of India; sister of Humayun (emperor, died 1556); niece of Akbar (emperor).

The 1st Indian woman historian, wrote Humayun Nama (c. 1580) which gives insight into lives of the first 2 Mughal emperors; at 5, moved with family to northern India; grew up in her father's court and that of her half-brother Humayan; married before 17, had one son; when brother was driven out of India, spent over 7 years at Kabul as a captive of another half-brother who was fighting Humayan; lived the rest of her life at the Mughal court of Akbar, 1st in Agra, then in Sikri.